I don't have high hopes for them doing a good job on Oberyn's bisexual interests, given the extremely stereotypical portrayal of homosexuality in the show. Loras Tyrell went from utterly badass best knight in the kingdom who happened to love Renly Baratheon to the stereotypical gay guy who'd jump into bed with any man and happens to be a very good jouster. If it comes out I hope it's just mentioned in passing, as for all the excellence in the show their treatment of sexuality hasn't been great so far.

Couldn't agree more. Yes, Loras is a "flower boy", the "epitome of pulchritude", blah blah. He's still a badass, at least in the books. His character somehow became whinier and more petulant, which doesn't help with Renly's likeability either. Thank God that they didn't muck up Jaime and Brienne's portrayals. :P

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Mozz's Van, named after Bulbagardens creditor, was a hidden forum section where staff members could share pictures of their tiny penises and engage in homosex. Sadly, HAVA media, Bulbagardens new corporate overlord, forced it's closure. Can't have porn on a children's website.

In short, no. Ser Barristan leads out a sally to destroy the trebuchets that are flinging diseased corpses into the city and meets with success fairly easily. Unbeknownst to him at first, the Iron Fleet has arrived at the same time, while Tyrion has been pushing and trying everything to get the Second Sons to flip their allegiance back to "the winning side". Martin explained that he intends these few chapters to be like the Blackwater battle in ACOK where you alternate through a few different POV characters to get different sights of the battle as it progresses. When the chapter ended one of the dragons had started to stir from atop a pyramid, though Tyrion wasn't sure which one it was.

So I just picked up the book after being ''introduced'' to its existence when ADWD game out a year(s?) ago, and my friends' twitters were a buzz about it, and I just got to Tyrion's perspective at the Wall, roughly page 475/1943 (on an e-book). The Raven said ''Fool" ...GRRM's writing, seems very odd to me; and this is from someone who appreciates Tolkien's descriptions.

How GRRM describes things and then forgoes other details, saying they're not important has me looking back a few times, but I'm loving the lore of it, and so much more stuff is happening in the books than the TV series. I also cannot stand Dany. I hate how her chapters are written so far, hopefully her story picks up.

I have to say my favorite character has become Jon Snow. But knowing GRRM logic, I'm afraid of what will happen to him...

In short, no. Ser Barristan leads out a sally to destroy the trebuchets that are flinging diseased corpses into the city and meets with success fairly easily. Unbeknownst to him at first, the Iron Fleet has arrived at the same time, while Tyrion has been pushing and trying everything to get the Second Sons to flip their allegiance back to "the winning side". Martin explained that he intends these few chapters to be like the Blackwater battle in ACOK where you alternate through a few different POV characters to get different sights of the battle as it progresses. When the chapter ended one of the dragons had started to stir from atop a pyramid, though Tyrion wasn't sure which one it was.

Most unfortunate... but at least World of Ice and Fire comes out in the fall until TWOW is done. And it seems like it'll be worth the wait, based on the Mercy chapter alone (though the Theon and Arianne chapters on his website were both pretty great).

If anybody is watching the current season, thoughts so far? I am enjoying all of the shenanigans in King's Landing. And more Littlefinger, please. Yes, he's a smug, slimey, and selfish ingrate, but you can't deny that he sows chaos and chews the scenery wherever he goes. Any scene with him, Olenna, or Varys makes me clap my hands together.

Right. So my school has a summer reading thing and you're allowed to choose the books as long as they're within reason. I chose the first Game of Thrones book, as the series has always interested me but my parents insist that the show is beyond my maturity level.

Dave and Stealthy suggested that I simply watch the first season, as it's relatively similar to the books, and then go back and read the book if I need to. Well, here are some preliminary thoughts:

No spoilers really, though it covers the first episode and some of the second.

Going into this, I was a bit confused by the beginning (walkers or something? blue eyes) but I assume that there is a necromancer beyond the wall. I don't want this to be confirmed or denied, simply my own theory.

Arya Stark is my favorite character so far, along with Danaerys. Both are currently young girls but I expect that they'll become much stronger in the future, provided they live that long. Arya can shoot a bow excellently and shares the same curiosity and rambunctiousness as her brothers, while Danaerys is bold enough to state that she has no desire to marry the brute. I can't wait to see Arya with the fully grown Dire Wolf, and Danaerys with the dragons, since from what I saw those are the respective creatures to each of them.

Joffrey is a bitch and I hope he dies but from what I've seen on Tumblr I'm guessing that will take a while.

The Lannisters creep me out. They're definitely plotting to overthrow the king. No doubt about it.

Arya is officially my favorite character, then Danaerys. Her and Bran seem quite connection with the wolves, with her and Nymeria and then Bran waking up as Lady was killed. I'm interested to see how this storyline plays out. Arya is also very wild and powerful, with her swordfighting and bravery to put that little bitch Joffrey in his rightful place.

All of the Lannisters except for the Imp should be killed immediately for the crime of being a great big back of dicks. Joffrey especially.

I suspect that the Dragon eggs will hatch soon, and Danaerys will no longer be a simple wife. At least that is what I am hoping.

I neglected to mention John Snow in my previous thought bubble, but I really should. He's half Stark, half peasant, making for an interesting story for him to follow. He will undoubtedly have something to do with the Necromancer, and rise to become a hero of some sort. Though I'd really like to see more of his Albino Dire Wolf.

I'm watching the Episodes through On Demand (w00t) so luckily for me they have up through Season 4, which I believe is the latest. I suspect that I'll be devoting plenty of my time towards watching this. In secret of course, as it'd be a real pain to have my parents cut me off halfway through.

The books have certain benefits over the TV series, but the TV series is definitely a good replacement if you don't have a lot of time to read a book. The book has a lot more wit and a few more important things happening but don't appear on the series for whatever reason. Also, the ages of most characters are like +3 years roughly compared to the books.

Just as a guide:
Season 1 = Game of Thrones
Season 2 = A Clash of Kings
Season 3 = A Storm of Swords Part 1/2
Season 4 = A Storm of Swords Part 2/2

While Season 1 is fairly accurate, as the seasons progress, there are more and more changes which are fairly important. While I understand some changes are budgetary or just impossible to do with either actors or whatnot, some are big changes which can potentially affect the future of characters compared to their novel versions. But enjoy it however you like.